Peace of mind all summer Tested for even the hottest days

receives each year and he said about $5,000, with about the same amount coming from small, local businesses.

“If we support this, it’s a big step for the Town of Stokesdale, based on our history. It’s a big chunk of money for this small town,” Jones said.

“Everything goes back into the program, and it is a complete effort,” Balmforth responded. “The vast majority of our support comes from the folks here.”

„ Councilman Jimmy Landreth said the ballpark had been a big part of his life growing up and he wanted to keep it separate from the town. He added that under normal circumstances he wouldn’t favor providing funds for the private park, especially if it meant taking money out of reserves. However, he acknowledged the town does have federal grant money, and Foy confirmed a $725,000 ARPA grant is available.

Balmforth then presented the last three years of financial statements, which confirm SP&R has clean financial records and stability.

“We want this to be a full partnership,” he told council members, saying the total cost of the upgrades is about $103,000, and so far one-fourth of it has been completed and paid for by SP&R.

Council then discussed the possibility of Stokesdale Community Park ever being sold, and if that were to occur, whether the town could establish some sort of legal assurance that it would be reimbursed for whatever it may invest in the upgrades. Town Attorney Chuck Winfree confirmed there were legal options that could be put in place to protect the town’s investment.

In 2021 the program was in jeopardy of folding, and Balmforth said the board has since worked hard to assure long-term financial sustainability.

“There’s a stewardship that goes along with this, and long after we’re gone there has to be a succession plan in place with protections,” he agreed.

„ Eileen Thierey spoke next and said,

“The future of this town is the children. If we have COVID money, that’s from our federal taxes, so I don’t see it impinging on the town’s budget… Think of the kids who can benefit from this… To be saying this is going to be setting a precedent, who cares?”

Budget Ordinance

Consideration of FY2023-24 Operating Budget. Thacker said changes to the draft budget had been made during each budget workshop, and she had made those changes on the working document on her laptop. She and the town clerk worked together on it, and she said when the budget was printed out, she closed her laptop and only later discovered the budget before the council at this meetng was not the correct, revised budget.

“I apologize to the council and the citizens,” she said.

Council members thanked Thacker for her admission.

Foy then said that since the councl’s last budget workshop May 4, he had spoken with Town Clerk Dale Martin and she had expressed interest in stepping down as town clerk and focusing on codification of the town’s ordinances.

“With Ms. Martin transitioning next year out of the town clerk role, her hours would be reduced, so the amount we budgeted would not be as much,” Foy said. “Also, in my opinion, I do not think we need the administrative assistant position, but I do see a need for another full-time deputy clerk. So, taking all this into account, I think council needs to relook at the budget because I don’t think it captures what we need to do from a staff perspective.”

As for SP&R’s request, Foy said he was in favor of using the town’s ARPA funds for park improvements.

“This council has worked its tail off to get other improvements to the town’s water system,” he said. “I acknowledge we don’t own Stokesdale Community Park, and there’s no doubt if government became involved in managing or owning that park we wouldn’t have done as good a job. So, when I look at the request (from the nonprofit), I see we do have grant money to assist them, it wouldn’t use any of the town’s reserves, and the baseball and softball programs would be in jeopardy (if the poles and lighting are not replaced). I see an organization committed to raising money. The grant would have a general positive impact on the infrastructure. Public monies must be spent wisely for public purposes, and in my opinion, this is quite a good public purpose.”

Foy added that he appreciated that the organization plans to raise $25,000 more of what is needed, as opposed to asking the council for the whole amount.

With that, he motioned to continue the council’s budget discussion to a special called meeting on Thursday, June 15,* at 7 p.m. After discussion, Foy withdrew that motion and motioned to hold a budget workshop on June 15, followed by a special called meeting to continue the public hearing for the budget and potentially adopt the budget on June 21 at 7 p.m.

 4  0 to schedule the budget workshop on

June 15 and continue the budget public hearing on June 21.

 4

 0 to include a $50,000 grant to Stokesdale Parks & Rec in the draft budget, with the stipulation that it would be used only for lighting and light poles at Stokesdale Community Park.

*NOTE: After the council meeting, the budget workshop initially scheduled for Thursday, June 15, was rescheduled to Wednesday, June 14. The June 21 special called meeting remains on schedule as discussed.

Coverage of this council meeting will continue in our June 29 issue.